A Balanced Approach to Wellness!

Posts tagged ‘loneliness’

Loneliness has many faces: the face of a child sitting alone at lunch, the face of a foreign worker in a room of coworkers who are local, the faces of many on social media who appear to be celebrating or joyful, the faces of spouses who hunger for connection, the faces of children who hunger for parental attention, the faces of friends who long to unburden their hearts, the faces of those who invest in things other than friendships.

Loneliness creeps up, and then it overwhelms with its all-encompassing power. It is self-inflicted, yet it feels externally forced. Loneliness is strong in its grip.

Combating loneliness requires desire for connection. Wanting to connect with others is natural, but it can be difficult in today’s world of fractured social networks.

When loneliness comes from distancing between family members, the anecdote is holy time: time dedicated exclusively to face-to-face communications. Holy time can be declared for mealtimes, free time, or bedtimes. The rules are negotiable. Social media is forbidden.

When loneliness comes from friend deprivation, whether from time restraints or distance, the anecdotes are reorganization of time and intentional socializing. These changes take time and they require active participation. Making time for friendship is crucial. Pushing towards friendships is crucial too. We are all social beings, and friendships bring support and comfort.

When loneliness comes from circumstances—working in a foreign country or new location, caring for a family member who is ill or dependent, personal illness or incapacitation, or death of a beloved family member or close friend—the anecdotes are often harder to fulfill. Each case has its difficulties, but the need for social interaction is strong. There are local sources of support like religious institutions, social organizations, and support groups. For those who are far from their loved ones because of distance or responsibilities, there are messaging and multimedia communication services, letters and email, local support networks, and interaction with local people who provide services. The importance for building social connections remains high, and the forging of close or casual friendships is urgent.

Each person’s feelings of loneliness are unique, yet they blend into a universal rhythm of sadness that can affect societies in very significant ways.

Loneliness is a call to action that requires recognition and determination. It is remedied through laughs, time together, and emotional expressions. Loneliness is a call to be aware of relationships and needs. It is useful, and it is fixable.